Prune your shrubs and deciduous trees when they get rid of their leaves and enter their dormant period for the winter. Basic dormant-season pruning can help you improve the look of your plants without shocking and ruining them. By pruning your plants you can maintain your tree or shrub's form and structure by getting rid of the dead branches. The thinner branches will help take weight off of the plant, and allowing more light will give your plant better inner growth for your plant.

Steps

Method1

Deciduous Trees

1

Perform crown cleaning by getting rid of dead or diseased branches from your tree. This can also include dying or weak branches. This method helps you improve light to the plant as well as air movement through it.

2

Do crown raising by getting rid of lower branches. This will help provide clearance by buildings and possible for vehicles or people.

3

Take crown reduction steps by caring for large branches that are at the top of your tree. This will help you reduce the height of tree.

4

Remove dead leaves that are on the ground underneath your plant. Do not use them in your compost.

5

Prune your tree early in its life by removing the dead or injured branches immediately after planting it.

6

Train your tree or plant starting the immediate dormant season after you plant it.

7

Begin pruning your plant while it is young, but make sure not to trim back the leader branch.

Method2

Roses

1

Prune your roses when your daffodils begin to bloom. Waiting until this time of year will ensure that your soil temperature is as warm as you need it to be.

2

Use sharp and clean pruning tools to take off old and dead canes on the plant.

3

Make clean cuts above the new buds. This will ensure that you are not removing too much of the plant.

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Tips

Do minimal pruning on shrubs that have been newly planted, especially if the plant was part of a soil ball and/or grown in a container.

Clean your tool or tools also as you work from plant-to-plant so that you don't spread any disease or microbes throughout the plants addressed in your pruning session. Use rubbing alcohol, or you can apply a bleach and water mixture.